A Virginia mother is sharing how her son saved a man's life by being an organ donor.Melinda Dillon told WSLS that most people didn't know about her 21-year-old son Lucas' battle with mental health until he took his own life two years ago. "(He) had more friends than you could count," Dillon said.When he died, Lucas asked his mom to try and stay positive. She put that message in a tattoo on her wrist with an image of her son's heartbeat. "It’s been hard. It's hard to stay positive," Dillon said.She has now decided to share how her son's decision to donate his organs has had a positive impact. "I think that's what we as his family want to see happen. We want other people to realize you've got to do something for somebody. If you can make a difference for one person, that's all that matters" Dillon said.Her son's organ recipient, who wished to only be identified as "Dave," was suffering from congestive heart failure. "If it wasn't for them, I wouldn't even be talking to you right now," Dave said. "I was gone. I was dead gone. I wasn't supposed to be here. Before Lucas, I wasn't supposed to be here." When Melinda and Dave finally met, she was able to hear her son's heart beating inside Dave's chest."That heart started out in me. It's like Lukie's love because of that heart is just continuing to beat every single day," Dillon said.She encourages others to follow in her son's footsteps by becoming organ donors. "I think Lucas taught us, we just have to give back. We have to stay positive and give back to somebody else," Dillon said.

SALEM, Va. —

A Virginia mother is sharing how her son saved a man's life by being an organ donor.

Melinda Dillon told WSLS that most people didn't know about her 21-year-old son Lucas' battle with mental health until he took his own life two years ago.

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"(He) had more friends than you could count," Dillon said.

When he died, Lucas asked his mom to try and stay positive. She put that message in a tattoo on her wrist with an image of her son's heartbeat.

"It’s been hard. It's hard to stay positive," Dillon said.

She has now decided to share how her son's decision to donate his organs has had a positive impact.

"I think that's what we as his family want to see happen. We want other people to realize you've got to do something for somebody. If you can make a difference for one person, that's all that matters" Dillon said.

Her son's organ recipient, who wished to only be identified as "Dave," was suffering from congestive heart failure.

"If it wasn't for them, I wouldn't even be talking to you right now," Dave said. "I was gone. I was dead gone. I wasn't supposed to be here. Before Lucas, I wasn't supposed to be here."

When Melinda and Dave finally met, she was able to hear her son's heart beating inside Dave's chest.

"That heart started out in me. It's like Lukie's love because of that heart is just continuing to beat every single day," Dillon said.

She encourages others to follow in her son's footsteps by becoming organ donors.

"I think Lucas taught us, we just have to give back. We have to stay positive and give back to somebody else," Dillon said.